Tiles

The flooring multinational completes its fifth acquisition in the ceramic sector and the second in Italy.

Improved flexibility in terms of size and thickness, less scrap, lower electricity consumption, digitally synchronised surfaces, through-body decorations using SACMI Deep Digital solutions and the added benefit of being able to use standard porcelain tile bodies are the factors behind the global success of Continua+.

The Spanish ceramic group plans to build two new production lines, a logistics centre and a showroom, beginning with a 30 million euro investment in 2020.

After Russia and China, Laminam is starting up its third foreign company in Japan as a joint venture with Roma Tile Co. Ltd.

At Cevisama 2020, SITI B&T Group presented the world premiere of the first collection of architectural surfaces designed by Automobili Lamborghini.

Among the latest new products presented by Torrecid at Cevisama 2020 were the eco-friendly 2low-inkcid® glazes and inks and the new generation of high colour intensity inks.

The Spanish group posted 15% revenue growth, an EBITDA of 104 million euros and investments of 90 million euros in 2019. It has also announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in Argenta Cerámica and Cifre Cerámica.

RAKO Director at the helm of the European Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Federation for the next 3 years

Xiang Da Ceramics of Foshan, founded in 2005 but already one of the largest ceramic tile producers in China, has commissioned LB to supply Naturetech and Rolltech LBXTRA kits.

Tile production in Bangladesh has grown by 150% in the space of just 5 years, reaching 119 million sq.m in 2018. DBL Ceramics stands among the local largest ceramic tile producers.

The new factory has a production capacity of 3.5 million sq.m/year and stands out for its flexibility, automation and sustainability.

Lasselsberger Group closes a good 2019, with very positive results in the raw materials division and an increase of ceramic tile sales.

The grinding plant in the Fondovalle factory has been installed with a new eco-friendly tile drying system.

In 2019, production and sales remained stagnant at 409 million sq.m.  Non-European markets saw the biggest falls, while the domestic market made a slight recovery.

With a production of about 114 million sq.m, Nigeria is now the second largest tile producer in Africa, with 8 manufacturing companies, of which 6 financed entirely by Chinese capital

Production and exports will continue to grow. The new challenge comes from the introduction of 42.9% antidumping duties on Indian tiles in the Gulf States.

From 2015 to 2018, Turkish ceramic tile exports have grown steadily to 100 million sqm, representing 30% of national production.

Italgraniti has chosen the new firing technology to achieve maximum energy efficiency and low environmental impact.

With the adoption of countervailing and antidumping duties on Chinese tile imports in the US, the race is on for both US tile manufacturers and all the other supplying countries to win a slice of the 64.3 million sq.m of Chinese products.

Christophe Callon, Purchase & Marketing manager at Saint Gobain Building Distribution Tiles & Flooring and CEO of Decoceram, explains the changes in the European flooring market and in the distribution of ceramic tiles.